this show was fantastic, It changed my life. this was my first GD show. And the beginning of my following them around for almost the next 10 years, And today 35 years later I am still listening to the GD every day.

Solid dead show lots of high energy. Very very very good Cassidy loved it. Also the Alabama>promised land great combo love it to end the first set. That China rider is very good lots of energy

First time I have heard this show since 1987-04-19. Last of a great three-night stand at a time when we were all just overjoyed to see the Dead on a stage again, and they really played their hearts out. I left Southern California at the end of 87 and soon moved abroad and I only saw them about seven or eight times after that, but this brings tears to my eyes remembering all the great times and all the great gigs. I will hand this link out to some younger friends. Let's try to keep it alive, folks, as there will always be people who can use some joy.

I was there Shrooming with my Dad, Not him just me, after a night of drinking in Tijuana, the Tibetan monks put me on my ass as it was piped in before the half step. Does anyone have a copy They can share of those sounds leading into the half step. I used to have it on cassette but we all know what happened to those.

I don't think that I've ever heard some of the sounds used from the end of Space into The Other One...

Sounded like someone's very filtered talking or something , I sometimes wonder if these sounds are added by the person recording the show...post production.

I do like the very "flangy" effect on Bobby's voice though...I like it rather clean, not the monster voice that they would use later.

Thanks for posting

Easter Sunday baptism.

I can't remember if it was 1987 or 1986 (unless 86 was cancelled due to the coma). Anyway, I brought a date to the show and after the cops said it was too much of a zoo to get out so they recommended folks stay in their cars for the night. I remember my smile and saying, "It isn't my fault, you heard the police." 4 stars for bringing the memories and it is a good recording for historical purposes as it makes me think of the 87 tour. I still have the shirt from that one! Skeleton on the keyboard with a smoke in his mouth.

First, a quick remark re: gratefulvince's remarks. You, are a moron. How old are you, 16? Do us all a favor and come back when you figure our what I means to be Grateful Dead.

Back to the show:

Senior year at Umass, coming off a smoking East Coast Spring Tour (were you at Hampton that year, gratefulvince? didn't think so. Shame.). Next thing I know we're on a plane, going back to Cali, for our first ever West Coast Dead shows @ Irvine Meadows.

Picture it. Feel the freedom. Listen to the music.

And don't take it all so seriously.

That's Grateful Dead.

I'm no 80's hater by any means, (a lot of years in that decade are my fav) but where is the jamming in 1987? Yes the setlist is unique and the songs well-played, but even in the mid-80's they were still doing at least 1 crazy exploratory-type jam per show. I mean I like the songs but this show right here is a prime example of why '86-'87 shows are considered some of the weakest ever.

4 for SBD mix
5 for show

Giving out a bunch of five star shows seems to defeat the purpose of being a "critic" (of amateur status), but you have to look at it as a whole. Despite certain flubs here or there, the band is super jazzed to be playing, and have Jerry back to (relative) good heath. This is one of these "on" Jerry shows of the later years, many of which are spiced up by Drummers/Brent. Not dogging on late Dead, which is some of my favorite Dead to listen to, but this is a show where Jerr was really happy to be playing.

Brent is super soulful vocally, delivering beautiful vocals for Tons of Steel, Women are Smarter, and Black Muddy River. By the way, what an underappreciated song that never got its fair amount of play or acknowledgement. Even Phil in his book admits that they were not particularly thrilled about the "lagging" music arrangement. But Black Muddy ends up being quite an inspirational second set moment. 1987 isn't the dark mega-jam year that would come in 89', but the slick and polished "in the dark" steeze really did bring them validity to the peanut galleries eyes (who really cares?)

With no song over ten minutes and a 2 1/2 hour running time, this is one that could get easily set aside for bigger and meaner sets, but i cannot disacknowledge their true happiness in playing together that shines through in this Irvine show. The 87 onward Brent shows would prove to be some of their finest mature work. This is the start of a new sound.

We had a BLAST at this show and the entire weekend. I just loved Brent and Tons was awesome! The set list doesn't really jump out at you but it was really a nice come down from Friday & Saturday shows.

We stayed at the Irvine Mariott, about 12 heads overflowing our room, out onto the grass and the pool lounge chairs! Easter Sunday Brunch had people in there best-dress, paying about $50/each for champagne brunch....and then there were The Heads, all over the place! It was a sight to see!

We sat in the hot-tub easter morning, drinking bloody marys with an older couple (older in '87 meant 40's) from Chicago. They were in So Cal for a vacation and we educated them on the life of a Deadhead. I wouldn't have been surprised if I ran into them at the show that day!

Thanks for posting this show!

I remembered this as being a pretty hot show, but then again I was ablazin' that day. Nice to hear proof that it really was pretty good.

Solid show from start to finish. Agreed that the first set shines. Instead of sleepwalking through the jam in Cassidy (as they sometimes did), they really ripped it this time.

I remember watching the guy in front of me morph into a Planet of the Apes character during China/Rider. In my, uh, heightened awareness, I also really noticed Healy's psychoacoustic volume adjustments during the peak of the China/Rider jam.

Good times, good times.

this was my fourth show and boy! did it kick ass!!...i was on six hits of clear gels...and blazzzzzzzzing my balls offff!!!..i remember my friend donny on the lawn, pick up a tee shirt this guy was selling and he didnt notice he'd dropped it... when donny told the man he'd dropped his shirt..the head said ''keep it for being honest''...and donny tore off his shirt ,witch he'd been wearing for days!!..and smelled like pachulee oil..!!haaaaa!!!!put on the new shirt ,witch was a steal your face...and kepted daning to fanklins tower...it was the best easter sunday..i'd ever experinced

First show and can't believe my ears. Wow.

Hot Cumberland into Drums, emotional Brokedown.

It is hard for me to hear a difference between this copy and the matrix mix. They both sound good. Do others perfer one over the other and if so why?

Also I was seeing quite a few shows during this period and I think the set list is second to none. In my opinion, it's a KEEPER.

After a couple of years of listening to the Dead, this was my first show. It was a mind/soul blowing experience. Thank you Scott for making this available.

Probably one of 1987's best first sets and definitely one of my top ten first sets,the Dead always delivered on Easter Sunday !!!

Here it is Gang , a killer Tons Of Steel, this is the eighteenth time played on this tour. A show case of Brent's talent.